Addis Ababa – Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reforms are attracting growing interest from Zimbabwean investors, Ambassador Rashid Mohammed said in an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA). The ambassador, who is accredited to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mauritius and serves as Ethiopia’s representative to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), highlighted the steady progress in bilateral economic cooperation driven by enhanced diplomatic engagement and expanding trade ties.
Ethiopia’s reform agenda, which includes investment‑friendly policies and an improving business climate, is creating new opportunities for Zimbabwean firms seeking to enter the Ethiopian market. Mohammed noted that both countries are deepening cooperation in key sectors such as trade, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism and technology, with increasing private‑sector interest on both sides.
The ambassador pointed to Ethiopia’s strategic location as a gateway to Africa and its active participation in regional integration initiatives, including COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as factors that boost investor confidence and strengthen economic links between the two nations. He underscored the long‑standing friendship rooted in shared political values, Pan‑Africanism and a common commitment to African unity.
Ethiopia’s support for Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle from the 1960s to 1980 remains a defining element of the bilateral relationship. “Ethiopia’s contribution to Zimbabwe’s independence is a remarkable example of African solidarity and Pan‑African cooperation,” Mohammed said, recalling the financial assistance and military training provided to Zimbabwean freedom fighters. Following Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the two countries formalised diplomatic relations by opening embassies in Harare and Addis Ababa and cooperating through the then Organization of African Unity.
Since then, the partnership has expanded into broader economic collaboration. Recent examples include Ethiopian leather manufacturers promoting their products and establishing trade linkages at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. Mohammed said such initiatives showcase Ethiopia’s economic transformation and generate new trade and investment prospects for Zimbabwean developers.
COMESA continues to facilitate cooperation, covering travel and service expenses for Ethiopian producers participating in the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and ensuring Ethiopia’s representation in the COMESA Court of Justice. Additionally, Ethiopian Airlines operates 23 weekly flights to three Zimbabwean cities, reinforcing trade and people‑to‑people connections.
Looking ahead, Ethiopia’s active role in the AfCFTA and its COMESA membership are expected to further enhance regional integration and economic benefits for both countries. The ambassador concluded that the deep historical ties and shared liberation legacy provide a solid foundation for expanding bilateral trade, investment and sectoral cooperation in the years to come.
